# Is "chick" allowed? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 30, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703 "2020-03-30T21:29:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/81 "2020-04-02T02:36:49Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Speaking as a moderator, context matters. > > In most cases, chick is going to be in the same general group as words like broad or skirt. It is often used to refer to a woman in a demeaning or objectifying sense, and it’s exactly the sort of thing that we are trying to eliminate here on the SDMB (see the numerous other threads about misogyny here). > > That doesn’t mean that the word is always offensive. Rilchiam saying “I’m a chick” is not insulting or demeaning anyone in that particular context. > > Being female doesn’t necessarily excuse using the term, however. On the internet, we often don’t know if you are female or not. Heck, for all we know, you could be a [dog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Internet,_nobody_knows_you're_a_dog#/media/File:Internet_dog.jpg). Since we usually don’t know who you are, we don’t necessarily know the context you are speaking from. > > Generally speaking, “chick flick” is not considered offensive. However, it can be used in a demeaning manner, so again, context matters. Ok for example if I start a thread and I say “I was watching these two chicks at the end of the bar when all of a sudden…” is that going to earn a warning? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/82 "2020-04-02T02:43:31Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Ok for example if I start a thread and I say “I was watching these two chicks at the end of the bar when all of a sudden…” is that going to earn a warning? I’d applaud you if you concluded it, “…I tried to get their attention but not a peep from them.” ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/83 "2020-04-02T12:05:37Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > I’m a chick. Can I say “chick”? I don’t say it to offend, so can I say it? If black people are allowed to refer to themselves as “niggers” (they are), they you can cal yourself what you want. Whether it would be an acceptable phrase to use depends on your social context. Using the same word with regards to _other people_ is a completely different matter, and virtually 100% likely to be offensive. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/84 "2020-04-02T13:35:21Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I don’t understand what you’re attempting to say. People are explaining the meaning of the word and how others interpret it. Do you think the dictionary is “word policing” because it specifies how words are used? We don’t discuss the meaning of innocuous words in ATMB. Simple as that. …and its not like misogyny isn’t a popular subject for ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/85 "2020-04-02T13:50:54Z")
“Chick” isn’t just a gender descriptor; it also implies immaturity. At best, “girl”, at worst, “jail bait”. There is no male equivalent label. If I was to invent one, it would be “pony” or “colt” to describe a “young stud”. Outside of Sixties references, “chick” is a word I try to avoid using. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/86 "2020-04-02T14:39:42Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > What’s the difference between a garbanzo bean and a chickpea? You won’t get arrested for secretly watching a garbanzo bean. (Look, the feedline was just left hanging. I hadta.) As for the OP, I’m on Team Context. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/87 "2020-04-02T15:19:40Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > You won’t get arrested for secretly watching a garbanzo bean. > > (Look, the feedline was just left hanging. I hadta.) > > As for the OP, I’m on Team Context. Why does a certain segment of this board’s population feel it is appropriate to come into threads about the issue of sexism on this board only to crack sexist jokes? It makes one wonder if they’re taking the issue seriously at all. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/88 "2020-04-02T15:24:33Z")
> [@MarvinKitFox](#): > > If black people are allowed to refer to themselves as “niggers” (they are), they you can cal yourself what you want. > > Whether it would be an acceptable phrase to use depends on your social context. > > Using the same word with regards to _other people_ is a completely different matter, and virtually 100% likely to be offensive. I’m pretty sure that black people on this board couldn’t refer to themselves that way without some moderator intervention. Once again, chick is not the same as nigga, in case anyone thought I think they’re equivalent. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/89 "2020-04-02T15:53:12Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Why does a certain segment of this board’s population feel it is appropriate to come into threads about the issue of sexism on this board only to crack sexist jokes? It makes one wonder if they’re taking the issue seriously at all. See? Context. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/90 "2020-04-02T16:20:47Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > See? Context. What “context” do you feel makes your joke OK? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/91 "2020-04-02T18:08:26Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > You won’t get arrested for secretly watching a garbanzo bean. > > (Look, the feedline was just left hanging. I hadta.) > > As for the OP, I’m on Team Context. Whatever team you are on, the game you’re playing is repulsive. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/92 "2020-04-02T18:18:02Z")
Couple months ago, I got into a world of hurt with two mods for starting a thread in CS about “chick vocalists.” So I’m damn careful of it now, even though I use all KINDS of dated slang around here, because I am the cat’s pyjamas. And don’t yell at **Gyrate!** He was one of the members who criticized me in that thread, so you know the dude is all kinds of woke. ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/93 "2020-04-03T09:05:11Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > … I am the cat’s pyjamas. I SAY! That’s cultural appropriation right there, you know! Think of the kittens, won’t someone think of the poor little kittens! ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/94 "2020-04-03T13:16:16Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Ok for example if I start a thread and I say “I was watching these two chicks at the end of the bar when all of a sudden…” is that going to earn a warning? Yeah. By the grammar police for using ‘all of a sudden…’ instead of ‘suddenly…’. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/95 "2020-04-03T13:21:43Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@TonySinclair](#): > > What’s the difference between a garbanzo bean and a chickpea? > [@Gyrate](#): > > You won’t get arrested for secretly watching a garbanzo bean. > > (Look, the feedline was just left hanging. I hadta.) > > As for the OP, I’m on Team Context. When we talk about trying to eliminate the boy’s locker room type humor around here as part of our effort to reduce misogyny, this is exactly the sort of thing that we are referring to. I don’t know why either of you thought that this joke would be appropriate anywhere on the SDMB, let alone in a thread about a term that is offensive to women. Don’t do this again. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/96 "2020-04-03T15:12:11Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Ok for example if I start a thread and I say “I was watching these two chicks at the end of the bar when all of a sudden…” is that going to earn a warning? Again, context matters. Under most circumstances I personally would probably only give it a mod note and not a warning. That said, if the story continues along the lines of the type of story that a bunch of guys would tell to each other only when women aren’t around, then that’s exactly the type of thing we’re trying to stop around here. ---
**Author:** ![Kovitlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kovitlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kovitlac)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/97 "2020-04-03T15:39:09Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Why does a certain segment of this board’s population feel it is appropriate to come into threads about the issue of sexism on this board only to crack sexist jokes? It makes one wonder if they’re taking the issue seriously at all. Oh c’mon. Even I thought it was funny. As for the topic, I wouldn’t generally feel offended by the word ‘chick’, and might use the term ‘chick-flick’ to apply to certain movies. Those movies would almost all be classified as rom-coms though, or romance, feel-good or Hallmark movies. Those are all terms I feel could just as easily be used. I’m also with whoever said that the movies they hear women talking about are the same they hear men talking about. You know how often I see rom-coms? Extremely rarely. All the movies I see in theaters, usually with my family or my girl friends, are superhero or horror movies. ‘Chick-flick’ implies that certain movies are only for the female demographic and that a man is to be laughed at or scorned if we were to enjoy something like, say, The Devil Wears Prada (which is hilarious and, IMO, 100x better than most comedies). ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/98 "2020-04-03T17:20:34Z")
> [@Kovitlac](#): > > Oh c’mon. Even I thought it was funny. Thankfully, it looks like the mods disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/99 "2020-04-03T17:52:02Z")
> [@Kovitlac](#): > > Oh c’mon. Even I thought it was funny. You seem to entirely miss the point. The issue isn’t whether or not the joke might be funny, it’s whether the post is appropriate to the discussion. And that post was completely out of line with the discussion in this thread, to the extent that in my opinion it verged on trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703/100 "2020-04-03T21:15:18Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > “Chick” is ok. “Jack Chick” tho, is utterly obscene. It’s because Jack “Chick” is more aptly described as Jack “Psycho.” Ref: [Post #13.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=22220459&postcount=13) Tripler This is not meant to disparage other “Jacks.” Just the one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chick-allowed/850703.md?page=6)